Hank Kim

GSA Advantage 2024 Updates: What to Expect The General Services Administration (GSA) is constantly evolving their flagship procurement vehicle, the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract, to improve efficiency and better meet the needs of federal agencies. In 2024, GSA Advantage will undergo several significant updates and changes that will impact GSA MAS Contract holders. These updates include the implementation of the FAS Catalog Platform (FCP), changes to Transactional Data Reporting (TDR), new joint venture requirements, restructuring of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), proposed changes to SBA size standards methodology, and the introduction of the Ascend BPA for Cloud Solutions. These updates aim to streamline processes, provide better access to information, and support federal agencies' procurement goals. FAS Catalog Platform (FCP) The FAS Catalog Platform (FCP) is a significant update for GSA MAS Contract holders. It introduces a streamlined approach to catalog https://is.gd/Vlmmph

1

Important new detail from KFF.

26

Measure what matters?!?! 🤷‍♀️ Guess we’re tracking butts in seats, ID card swipes and occupancy rates as a metric for how we deliver our promise to the citizens of our great nation ⭐️ #federalgovernment #federalworkforce #telework #remotework #hybridwork #work #workflexibility #KPI #OKR #performance #productivity #office #measurewhatmatters

6

3 Comments

NPP Blasts President Over Misusing State Resources - Urgent Update https://lnkd.in/dnCeCqiS #LegacyDaily #News #ElectionNews #NPP #StateResources #PoliticalCampaign #NewsToday #SriLankaPolitics #ElectionIntegrity #GovernmentSpending

1

Today, Partnership for Public Service and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in collaboration with The Washington Post, have released the 2023 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings. Agency leaders across the government have prioritized employee engagement and satisfaction over the past year. At a time when our nation faces critical challenges and exciting opportunities at home and abroad, an engaged federal workforce is vitally important. The top-ranked agencies have excelled at keeping their workforces engaged and motivated, and as a result, they are well-positioned to deliver results for the public. See the rankings here: https://hubs.la/Q02xnWb60 #BPTW2023

74

3 Comments

You may not see flashy headlines about an upcoming decision from the U.S. #SupremeCourt regarding #ChevronDeference, but this ruling will have major consequences on how companies do business in highly regulated industries. Need to catch up? Check out our short backgrounder video below and then let us know what your thoughts are on this issue in the comments.

13

As the Senate confirmation process faces increasing delays and challenges, over 80 executive branch positions have been vacant more than 50% of the time since 2009. The latest report from the Partnership for Public Service's Center for Presidential Transition® highlights these persistently vacant positions, including key roles such as the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Cabinet department Chief Financial Officers. The analysis explores the causes of these vacancies and underscores the detrimental impact on agency performance, public service, and Congressional oversight. Reducing the number of Senate-confirmed positions and implementing other reforms is crucial to improving the efficiency of the confirmation process. Read the report to understand the critical insights into the Senate confirmation challenges and their implications for government functionality. https://lnkd.in/gKEa6_ND

31

5 Comments

Read about some of what I've been working on over the past 6 months:

6

The first step of making the promise of Gideon a reality is to understand the problem.

5

1 Comment

Lisa M. Sherwin Wulf and I follow up our recent discussion on B2G marketing with a dive into branding in GovCon on #AmtowerOffCenter https://lnkd.in/eQCBSXaX

31

4 Comments

What is the Office of Regional Affairs? By Office of Advocacy On Oct 15, 2024 by Will Purcell, Director of Regional Affairs The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) advances the views and concerns of small businesses before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. As the voice for small businesses in the federal government, it is critical for Advocacy to hear from small business stakeholders all over the country so that we can better understand their concerns. After all, different regions have different concerns, and the Office of Regional Affairs works diligently to make sure those are heard in Washington D.C. Advocacy’s Office of Regional Affairs consists of staffers spread across the country. A regional advocate is located in each of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) ten geographic regions. The advocates are the eyes and ears for Advocacy across the nation. They help promote and champion small businesses in their region. Regional advocates: Represent the Chief Counsel for Advocacy in their regions, often facilitating opportunities for the Chief Counsel and DC staff to meet with local businesses concerned about regulations that impact their business. Conduct extensive outreach to regional small business communities so that Advocacy’s DC team is better informed of distinct regional and local small business concerns. Maintain a partnership with regional and district SBA staffers to ensure that SBA is aware of Advocacy’s products and actions. Refer regulatory concerns for already existing rules to regional Regulatory Fairness Boards and the SBA Office of the National Ombudsman. This ensures that even small businesses outside of Advocacy’s scope of work are heard. Each regional advocate engages with small businesses differently, based on their region, their network of contacts, and their background. However, all the regional advocates work to amplify the voices of the small businesses in their regions to ensure that critical information makes it back to Washington D.C.  The advocates amplify small business voices by relaying stories from the field. The advocates’ news articles are a useful way to showcase their work. This allows Advocacy to spotlight small business struggles and successes, which provides personal insight into complex regulatory law and a face to government statistics. If you are a small business and wish to reach out to an advocate in your region, or you are a trade group or local association that wishes to have a regional advocate speak at one of your events, feel free to reach out to an advocate in your region. Alternatively, you can reach out to Will Purcell, Director of the Office of Regional Affairs, at [email protected].

1

🚨 Federal Appropriations for FY24: A Disappointment for Nondefense Spending 🚨 After months of negotiations and multiple stopgap measures, President Biden has signed a $1.2 trillion federal appropriations package for FY24. While the bill includes increased pay for troops and federal employees, and funding boosts for veterans’ medical care and nutrition programs, there are significant disappointments in other critical areas. 🔴 Disproportionate Defense Spending: The FY24 budget allocates $842 billion for defense programs, reflecting a 3% increase, compared to $758 billion for nondefense activities, which received a 7% boost. This disproportionate allocation raises concerns about our national priorities, especially when essential nondefense sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure also require substantial investments. 🔴 Cuts to Key Initiatives: We are particularly disheartened by the failure to fund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the substantial cuts to climate change initiatives. With $621 million slashed from climate action and $53 million from diversity and inclusion training, this budget overlooks critical areas that are essential for long-term national and global security. 🔴 Missed Opportunities: The budget also reflects partisan concessions that sideline crucial programs, such as banning funds for IRS free tax filing software and limiting resources for climate-focused rules from the Biden administration. These cuts undermine efforts to address pressing issues like environmental sustainability and social equity. The Peace Economy Project believes in a balanced approach to federal spending that equally prioritizes defense and nondefense needs. It is crucial that we advocate for a budget that supports comprehensive security, environmental protection, and social justice. 📖 Read the full article to learn more about the FY24 federal appropriations and join us in advocating for a more equitable allocation of resources: https://lnkd.in/gfe7a2Dx #FederalBudget #DefenseSpending #ClimateChange #DiversityAndInclusion #PeaceEconomyProject #SocialJustice

1

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requests comments on its “Draft Report to Congress on the Benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations and Agency Compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act”, available at https://buff.ly/4eCP8Bs The Draft Report is divided into two parts, the first of which is further divided into several chapters. Part I, chapter I examines the benefits and costs of major Federal regulations issued in fiscal year 2023. Part I, chapter II discusses regulatory impacts on State, local, and Tribal governments, small business, wages and employment, and economic growth. Part I, chapter III offers recommendations for regulatory reform. Part II summarizes agency compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. OMB requests that comments be submitted electronically to OMB by December 9, 2024, through buff.ly/3cgTK2K using Docket ID OMB-2024-0012. https://buff.ly/3O8cVi3

3

[Webinar] December 17 @ 1 pm EST: A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for SBA's Federal Small Business Certifications https://zurl.co/oXx5 This webinar provides a step-by-step guide to applying for federal small business certifications through the SBA's "MySBA Certifications" portal. It covers the full application process, including determining eligibility, gathering required documentation, and avoiding common pitfalls that could delay approval. Participants will learn how to apply for certifications like HUBZone, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, and 8(a) designations, empowering them to navigate the certification journey with confidence. #Govology #sba #federalcontracting #govcon #governmentcontracts

27

I invite you to join the America First Policy Institute's recently announced federal budget process reform contest. The first prize is $10,000! Submit your ideas for reforming the federal budget process. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the act that established the current (dysfunctional) federal budget process. With your help, we can fix the process and restore fiscal sanity. #AFPIbudgetprocessreformcontest #federalbudget #budgetprocess https://lnkd.in/eKmRDffN

12

1 Comment

Instructive session today on leveraging issue associations at State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) national summit. Taking the time to understand the corporate structure of your members is critical for effective advocacy.

17

Franklin Turner, Philip Lee and I will provide guidance for government contractors seeking to ensure compliance with the government’s dynamic cybersecurity requirements in this webinar presented by the Public Contracting Institute and George Mason University. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eB8__z_N #governmentcontracting #governmentcontracts

17